Amarathus Seeds 'Velvet Curtains'

• Dramatic red-purple foliage
• Tall crimson flower plumes
• Ideal for cutting
• RHS Recommended: Award of Garden Merit

Amarathus ‘Velvet Curtains’ brings the look of the tropics to your garden with its dramatic red-purple foliage and tall crimson flower plumes. This award-winning half-hardy annual adds fantastic impact and structure to any sunny border. The flowerheads keep their colour once they have turned to seed, and keep on looking good for months. They make superb cut flowers.

Amarathus ‘Velvet Curtains’ holds the RHS Recommended: Award of Garden Merit, a sure indicator of its reliable garden performance.

Sow indoors

Sow in pots or module trays of pre-watered compost, covering lightly with a little more compost and keep at around 20°C in a light position. Germination and growth should be fairly quick.

Growing on and planting put

Pot on into individual pots, protecting from frost. Plant out when all danger of frost has passed, in a sunny border, about 40cm (16in) apart.

Sowing outdoors

Sow directly into soil when all danger of frost has passed. The soil should be broken into a fine tilth and kept weed-free. Sow thinly, 1/2cm (1/4in) deep and once large enough to handle, thin out to 40cm (16in) apart.

Aftercare

Pinch out the centres to encourage bushier growth. Keep well watered, especially in warm, dry spells and feed regularly once flowering. Staking may be required in exposed sites. Pinch out the centres to encourage bushier growth. Keep well watered, especially in warm, dry spells and feed regularly once flowering. Staking may be required in more exposed sites.